CANADA STOCKS-TSX near 4-week high as energy, materials gain

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April 18 (Reuters) - Canada’s main stock index rose sharply after opening at a near one-month high on Wednesday, helped by gains in energy and material companies, and after the Bank of Canada issued an optimistic economic growth outlook.

* At 9:42 a.m. ET (1342 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX Composite Index was up 123.11 points, or 0.8 percent, to 15,476.41, rising after four straight sessions of gains.

* The Bank of Canada maintained interest rates at 1.25 percent, as expected, but said more hikes will be needed over time amid progress on the dynamics of wage growth and inflation.